What started as Betsy’s idea to raffle off a few bottles of rare beer has turned into an annual bottle share and rare beer raffle that has raised over $100,000 dollars for Make-A-Wish to date.

“In 2015 I was nominated as an Honoree of the W.I.S.H. Society for Make-a-Wish® Central and Western North Carolina.”

As an Honoree, I was tasked with raising $6,000 – the average cost of one child’s Wish. I am extremely passionate about Make-a-Wish® due, in part, to the fact that in 2007 my son was granted a Wish through the foundation. I know what a difference that trip made to our family, and I want to give back so others can have the same experience.

One fundraising idea that I came up with was to raffle off 6 bottles of Pliny the Elder from Russian River Brewing Company (we had a friend send us some fresh Pliny!). After talking with a few people about this idea, I was put in touch with Mark Iafrate from the Beer Exchange….

BETSY PENCE

W.I.S.H. Society Honoree & Wish Parent

THE START OF SOMETHING SPECIAL

On June 18, 2015 at 1:37 PM I received an email from Justin Moore titled “Introduction to Betsy Pence.”

Justin told me Betsy had been selected as part of the 2015 W.I.S.H Society and was working to raise $6,000 to grant a child’s wish. Being huge craft beer fans, Betsy and her husband Jim decided they were going to raffle off some bottles of the infamous Pliny The Elder from Russian River Brewing Company to help raise some of the money towards their goal. Justin had known me for some time through the local craft beer scene, and also knew I had started The Beer Exchange earlier in 2014. Soon as he heard of Betsy’s idea, Justin thought there may be a way we could all work together and put on a fun event to help raise some money for charity.

He couldn’t have been more right. Betsy and I met over beers and set the wheels in motion for the first annual Whales for Wishes bottle share….

MARK IAFRATE

Co-Founder & CEO, TheBeerExchange.io

NOW WE’RE THINKING BIGGER

On April 7, 2019 we raised $50,000 for Make-A-Wish.

Little did we all know that single introduction would give birth to an annual event that has raised over a hundred thousand of dollars for Make-A-Wish, and helped grant 15 wishes to local children. That first Whale for Wishes took place at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery on Sunday, July 26, and raised just over $500. At the 5th Annual Whales for Wishes on April 7 we raised $50,000. We hope to see you at the 2020 event!

The Whales for Wishes Event Committee

BETSY PENCE

Event Planning & Fundraising

MARK IAFRATE

Planning, Fundraising, Marketing

JUSTIN MOORE

Design, Planning, Marketing

CHRIS WEBBER

Make-A-Wish Liaison, Event Planning

JIM PURVIS

Event Planning & Fundraising

JESSICA LAMKIN MOORE

Event Planning

Betsy’s Story

Learn more about the Pence’s story and why Whales for Wishes exists today.

PAST EVENTS

Check Out The Past Events

2015

The inaugural Whales for Wishes was held on July 26, 2015 at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery.